We prioritise customisation to align with distinct requirements
NIDO Group is a prominent force in the realm of Intralogistics Mechanisation and Automation Solutions. Since its inception in 2010, the company has evolved into a comprehensive manufacturer, system integrator, and solutions provider. It offers practical, modular, and integrated automation solutions to meet the evolving demands of modern industries including retail, e-commerce operations, 3PL and logistics. Speaking to Fibre2Fashion, Founder & Managing Director Nirav Doshi explains how automation solutions enhance inventory management and operational efficiency.
What are the most significant trends currently shaping the retail and fashion industries, and how are companies adapting to these changes?
The retail and fashion industries are undergoing significant transformations due to several key trends. E-commerce continues to surge, prompting companies to prioritise online platforms and omnichannel strategies. Sustainability has become a paramount concern, driving companies to adopt eco-friendly practices throughout their supply chains and product life cycles. Additionally, consumer demand for personalisation and inclusivity is reshaping product offerings and marketing strategies. Companies are adapting to these changes by investing in technology to enhance online shopping experiences, utilising data analytics for personalised marketing and inventory management.
How do you see the role of automation evolving in the retail and fashion industries over the next five to ten years?
The warehouse automation industry is undergoing a significant transformation due to technological advancements and changing consumer demands. Key trends driving this evolution include the increased adoption of robotics and automation technologies, such as AGVs, robotic picking systems, and AMRs, to streamline operations like goods movement and sorting. AI and machine learning are being integrated into warehouse automation systems to optimise inventory management and enhance operational efficiency through real-time decision-making and adaptive workflows.
IoT-enabled smart warehousing is revolutionising management by providing real-time visibility into inventory levels and equipment performance. Multi-channel fulfilment and micro-fulfilment centres are emerging to handle diverse order profiles and meet faster delivery demands. Modern WMS platforms are evolving to seamlessly integrate with automation technologies, offering advanced analytics and AI-driven optimisation features.
Sustainability initiatives are becoming increasingly prominent, focusing on reducing energy consumption and waste. Blockchain technology is enhancing supply chain transparency and traceability. Additionally, human-robot collaboration, exemplified by cobots, is improving productivity and safety in warehouse operations. Embracing these trends enables organisations to meet evolving customer expectations, optimise efficiency, and stay competitive in the dynamic logistics landscape.
How is the integration of automation technologies transforming supply chain management and logistics in the fashion and retail sectors?
The integration of automation technologies is revolutionising supply chain management and logistics in fashion and retail by enhancing efficiency, accuracy, and speed. Automated systems streamline inventory management, enabling real-time tracking and reducing stockouts. Robotics and AI optimise order picking, packing, and shipping, leading to faster delivery times. Advanced data analytics provide insights for better demand forecasting and resource allocation. Additionally, automation facilitates seamless omni-channel fulfilment and improved customer service. These transformations result in reduced operational costs, increased scalability, and a more responsive supply chain, aligning with the fast-paced demands of the fashion and retail industries.
What are the primary challenges that D2C brands face when scaling their operations, and how can these challenges be effectively addressed?
Direct-to-consumer (D2C) brands encounter various challenges when scaling their operations, including maintaining quality control, managing inventory, and optimising fulfilment processes. Warehouse automation companies can address these challenges by implementing efficient automated solutions. Automated warehouses can streamline inventory management, order fulfilment, and sorting processes, ensuring accuracy and speed even as order volumes increase. Advanced software systems can enhance operational efficiency, reduce errors, and minimise labour costs. Furthermore, automation can enhance visibility across the supply chain, enabling D2C brands to track inventory in real time and respond promptly to customer demands.
How is the growing emphasis on sustainability influencing the strategies and operations of companies in the retail and fashion industries?
The rising importance of sustainability is compelling the retail and fashion sectors to embrace eco-conscious practices and initiatives. This includes sustainable sourcing, heightened emphasis on recycled materials and systems, as well as initiatives to reduce carbon footprint. Operations are becoming less redundant, leading to waste reduction, while overall work accuracy is improving. There is a cultural shift towards prioritising eco-friendliness, evident in all their endeavours and initiatives.
What inspired you to start NIDO Group, particularly focusing on automation solutions for the retail, fashion, and D2C industries?
The surge in demand for retail, fashion, and D2C products following the e-commerce boom has necessitated automation to meet the diverse offerings, omnichannel distribution requirements, and rapidly shrinking order fulfilment deadlines. We were inspired to address these challenges head-on by recognising a significant gap between industry needs and available solutions.
Can you share some of the key challenges that retail, fashion, and D2C brands face today that NIDO Automation aims to solve?
Retail, fashion, and D2C brands face numerous challenges that NIDO Automation aims to solve, including managing sorting efficiency, tracking inventory accurately, and reducing operational costs. These industries often struggle with ensuring timely deliveries and preventing bottlenecks in their supply chains, which can lead to customer dissatisfaction. NIDO Group’s automation solutions streamline these processes by implementing advanced technologies like automated order picking & order fulfilment systems, automated packing, manifesting, and sorting solutions, and putaway and retrieval solutions that enhance inventory management and operational efficiency. This automation reduces costs and improves the overall customer experience through faster order fulfilment and precise deliveries, crucial for maintaining a competitive edge in the market.
How does NIDO Group differentiate itself from other automation solution providers in the retail and fashion sectors?
NIDO Group distinguishes itself within the automation solutions sector by prioritising innovation, flexibility, and scalability. In contrast to providers offering standardised solutions, we prioritise customisation to align with the distinct requirements of every business. Our products are meticulously tailored to accommodate specific needs, effectively tackling a variety of challenges. With a special focus on serving small and mid-sized businesses, we strive to make automation accessible and cost-effective for a broader spectrum of enterprises. Our solutions are engineered with scalability at the forefront, enabling businesses to invest with confidence, knowing that their automation systems can grow in tandem with their operations.
By staying current with technological advancements and offering a comprehensive range of products—including conveyor systems, weighing, and sorting solutions—NIDO delivers integrated, well-designed solutions that enhance efficiency and productivity across various industries.
Could you provide an example of a successful project or case study where your solutions significantly improved operations for a retail or fashion client?
A prominent supplier of branded retail and fashion accessories sought to enhance their operational efficiency. They aimed to cater to the needs of 90 retail outlets, offering a diverse range of 10 product categories totalling 2,500 products per hour. Manual management would require a minimum of 60 personnel, yet still might not ensure error-free operations. With our sorting and order fulfilment solutions, we streamlined manpower requirements to just 15 individuals, meeting both the product mix and throughput demands while occupying only half the space compared to manual methods. Remarkably, they achieved ROI within 8 months of system implementation. Furthermore, upon expanding their store count to 160, they turned to us to scale up our modular and scalable systems accordingly.
What specific technologies or innovations does NIDO utilise to streamline processes for D2C brands?
NIDO offers a comprehensive range of products under its Automation vertical, including:
- CANOPUSVERT for vertical conveyors
- REGULUS for telescopic belt conveyors
- CAPELLA and CUBISCAN for dimensioning and weighing systems
- DENEB for carriage belt sortation systems
- ASTRO and DENEB for general sortation systems
In addition, NIDO provides ANTARES, a pick/put-to-light system designed to enhance efficiency and productivity. Our latest introduction is a carriage-based profiling sorting and fulfilment ecosystem specifically tailored for small and mid-size businesses. This system delivers the benefits of automation with controlled investment according to business needs and is designed to scale with business growth, offering a flexible solution for evolving requirements.
How do your automation solutions address the unique needs of the fast-paced and ever-changing fashion industry?
Warehouse automation solutions address the fashion industry’s needs by offering high-speed sorting and robotic picking for efficiency, modular systems for scalability, and real-time inventory tracking for accuracy. They provide automated quality checks and intelligent order routing to ensure order accuracy, vertical storage solutions, and dynamic slotting for space optimisation. Seamless integration with omnichannel fulfilment and data-driven analytics enhance decision-making, while energy-efficient systems and sustainable packaging support environmental goals. These features ensure rapid adaptation to changing demands, improved operational efficiency, and enhanced customer satisfaction.
In what ways does NIDO Group help retail and fashion brands enhance their customer experience and engagement?
NIDO Group offers innovative intralogistics automation solutions tailored to SMEs, apparel brands, D2C businesses, retail, and e-commerce companies. These solutions are designed to enhance operational efficiency and streamline warehouse processes.
Smart Conveyors: NIDO Group provides advanced conveyor systems equipped with sensors and controls to optimise the flow of goods and improve operational efficiency within the warehouse.
Assisted or Automated Putaway and Picking Solutions: Leveraging robotics and advanced technologies, NIDO Group offers solutions for automated or assisted putaway and picking processes. These solutions enhance speed and accuracy, reduce labour requirements, and minimise errors in warehouse operations.
Order Fulfillment Automation: NIDO’s automation solutions for order fulfilment include automated order-picking systems and robotic order-packing stations. These solutions enable faster order processing and improve order accuracy, thereby enhancing customer satisfaction.
Sorters: NIDO’s sorter systems efficiently handle product sorting based on criteria such as destination, size, or SKU. These sorters significantly increase throughput and reduce the time required for order processing and shipment preparation.
ASTRO Sortation System: ASTRO is a groundbreaking sortation system known for its versatility and efficiency. It handles a wide range of product profiles with high-speed and accurate sorting, all within a compact footprint. ASTRO is easy to deploy, modular, and scalable, allowing for incremental expansion as needed. This scalability minimises upfront costs and ensures efficient resource use. ASTRO’s flexible configuration adapts to operational demands, optimising cost-effectiveness and resilience. It operates continuously, reducing downtime risk and maximising productivity, delivering a swift return on investment, and enhancing warehouse automation and supply chain optimisation.
Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (AS/RS): NIDO implements AS/RS solutions that utilise robotic arms, conveyors, and automated guided vehicles (AGVs) to store and retrieve goods efficiently. This technology optimises storage space utilisation and reduces picking time, enhancing overall warehouse efficiency.
Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs): NIDO group deploys AGVs that autonomously navigate within warehouses to transport goods. AGVs optimise material flow and minimise manual handling, contributing to faster and more reliable order processing for SMEs and 3PL providers.
What strategies does NIDO Group employ to stay ahead of technological advancements and industry trends in retail and fashion?
Continuous Learning: Regularly attend industry conferences, webinars, and training programmes.
Technology Partnerships: Collaborate with tech providers for early access to innovations.
Data Analytics: Utilise big data and AI for predictive analytics and informed decision-making.
Scalable Solutions: Invest in modular automation systems for flexibility and easy upgrades.
Customer Feedback: Incorporate customer insights to tailor automation solutions.
Can you discuss the environmental impact of automation in retail and fashion, and how NIDO Automation addresses sustainability concerns?
In retail and fashion intralogistics automation, while reducing waste, optimising energy usage, and improving accuracy are notable benefits. In response to sustainability concerns, NIDO Group prioritises constructing scalable and modular systems with a reduced carbon footprint. These systems are designed to expand alongside operations, resulting in less electrical and metal scrap. NIDO solutions exhibit notably lower power consumption compared to alternatives on the market. Moreover, the packaging required for transportation and the deployment time of our systems is significantly minimised, leading to a more sustainable warehouse system overall.
